ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Home Affairs
Shri Rajnath Singh to chair the 11th Standing Committee meeting of Inter-State Council on 9th April, 2017
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh will chair the 11th Standing Committee meeting of the Inter-State Council on April 9, 2017. The meeting will discus the recommendations of the Punchhi Commission on Centre-State Relations.
The member of the Standing Committee include the Union Minister for External Affairs, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation & Information and Broadcasting, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways & Shipping and the Chief Ministers of the States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh
The Punchhi Commission notified in 2005 submitted its report in 2010. The recommendations of the Punchhi Commission, which are contained in seven Volumes pertain to History of Centre-State Relations in India, Constitutional Governance and Management of Centre-State Relations, Centre-State Financial Relations and Planning, Local Self-Governments and Decentralized Governance, Internal Security, Criminal Justice and Centre State Co-operation, Environment, Natural Resources & Infrastructure and Socio-Economic Development, Public Policy and Good Governance.
The concerned Union Ministries and all the State Governments responded to the recommendations made in the report by providing detailed comments. The comments have been analysed and will be discussed at this high level forum.
The forthcoming meeting of the Standing Committee of Inter State Council will be examining the first three volumes of the Punchhi Commission's report. The subjects expected to be discussed at the meeting include significant issues concerning Centre-State relations, such as:
a) Role of Governors
b) Centrally sponsored schemes and financial transfers from the Centre to the States
c) Creation of a unified agricultural market for the nation
d) Measures to involve the States more closely in planning and delivery of services
e) Steps to be adopted to make Inter State Council more vibrant and
f) Measures directed towards better fiscal management by the Centre and the States.
The meeting acquires special significance in that, the Standing Committee of the Inter State Council is being convened after a gap of 11 years. The recommendations of the Standing Committee will be placed before the Inter State Council at its next meeting.
Ministry of Communications
Over 1 lakh people getting pension directly into their bank accounts through SAMPANN project
9,630 Grievances settled through the system
SAMPANN is helping Telecom Department in faster settlement of pension cases, improved reconciliation/auditing and ease of accounting
More than One Lakh pensioners are currently being serviced by Principal Controller of Communication Accounts/ Controller of Communication Accounts offices all over India via SAMPANN which has improved the service delivery to pensioners by providing a single window setup ensuring the following benefits:
- Timely settlement of pension cases
- Provision of e-Pension Payment Order
- Login for each pensioner enables access to key information like payment history
- Online submission of grievances and timely SMS alerts
It has ensured recurring monthly savings to the Government of India on account of Commission being paid to Banks/Post Offices for payment of Pension which approximately amounts to Rs.
11.5 Crores as of June, 2021.
Key data related to SAMPANN since launch is summarized below:
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Year
|
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No. of Pensioners Onboarded
|
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No. of Grievances Settled
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Amount Disbursed 
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2019
|
|
12,001
|
|
524
|
|
2109.67/-
|
|
2020
|
|
87,958
|
|
6,839
|
|
8477.30/-
|
|
2021 
|
|
1,382
|
|
2,267
|
|
5238.47/-
|
|
Total
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|
1,01,341
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|
9,630
|
|
15,825.44 Cr.
SAMPANN – ‘System for Accounting and Management of Pension’ is an ambitious project of Government of India being implemented by Controller General of Communication Accounts, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. It was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 29th December, 2018. It is a seamless online pension processing and payment system for Department of Telecommunications pensioners. It provides direct credit of pension into the bank accounts of pensioners.
The system has helped the Department in faster settlement of pension cases, improved reconciliation/auditing and ease of accounting.
SAMPANN has also been instrumental in settling close to 76000 BSNL Voluntary Retirement Scheme 2019 cases in a short span of 6 months.
SAMPANN is a system with a flexible design which enables it to accommodate ever expanding requirements.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 37.93 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 1.83 Cr balance and unutilized doses still available with States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
More than 37.93 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources and a further 23,80,000 doses are in the pipeline.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 36,09,69,128 doses .
More than 1.83 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered.
NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog Releases Report on ‘Health Insurance for India’s Missing Middle’
NITI Aayog today released a comprehensive report titled Health Insurance for India’s Missing Middle, which brings out the gaps in the health insurance coverage across the Indian population and offers solutions to address the situation.
The report was launched in the presence of NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant and Additional SecretaryDr Rakesh Sarwal.
NITI Aayog Member Dr V.K. Paul, in the Foreword of the report, highlights the need for health insurance coverage for all and says, “Significant challenges will need to be overcome to increase the penetration of health insurance.” He further mentions, “The government and the private sector will need to come together in this endeavor. Private sector ingenuity and efficiency is required to reach the missing middle and offer compelling products. The government has an important role to play in increasing consumer awareness and confidence, modifying regulation for standardized product and consumer protection, and potentially offering a platform to improve operational efficiency.”
NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said, “This report is an effort to re-invigorate the dialogue on increasing financial protection for health and the broader goal of Universal Health Coverage. It outlines the current landscape, existing gaps and articulates broad recommendations and pathways to increase health insurance coverage.”
The Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana—a flagship scheme towards Universal Health Coverage, and State Government extension schemes—provides comprehensive hospitalization cover to the bottom 50% of the population. Around 20% of the population is covered through social health insurance, and private voluntary health insurance primarily designed for high-income groups. The remaining 30% of the population, devoid of health insurance, is termed as the “missing middle”.The missing middle contains multiple groups across all expenditure quintiles and is spread across both urban and rural areas.
The report highlights the need for designing a low-cost comprehensive health insurance product for the missing middle. It primarily recognizes the policy issue of low financial protection for health for the missing middle segment and highlights health insurance as a potential pathway in addressing that. In doing so, the report offers a starting point for broader discussions on solutions, and specific products, to improve insurance coverage for the missing middle.
The report proposes wider industry and government stakeholder consultations, and discussion with consumer groups to delve deeper into the specifics of the problem, and potential solutions.
The full report can be accessed here.
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DS/AKJ
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Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVY UNDERTAKES BILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE WITH VIETNAM PEOPLE’S NAVY
In continuation with ongoing deployment of Indian Navy ships in the South China Sea, INS Ranvijay and INS Kora undertook bilateral maritime exercise with Vietnam People's Navy  frigate VPNS Ly Thai To on 18 Aug 21. The bilateral interaction aims to consolidate the strong bond shared by the two navies and would be another step towards strengthening India-Vietnam defence relations.
The Indian Naval ships arrived at Cam Ranh, Vietnam on 15 August 21 for harbour phase which included professional interactions with VPN maintaining extant Covid-19 protocols. The sea phase included surface warfare exercises, weapon firing drills and helicopter operations. Regular interactions between the two navies over the years have enhanced their interoperability and adaptability. This has ensured a quantum jump in the complexity and scale of professional exchanges. This visit also holds special importance as Indian Naval ships celebrated the country’s 75th Independence Day in Vietnam.
Defence ties between the two countries have been robust. In June this year, the two countries undertook a defence security dialogue and Indian Naval ships have been frequently visiting Vietnamese Ports. Training cooperation between the two navies has been on the rise over the years.
INS Ranvijay is a guided-missile destroyer and the latest of the Rajput class. The ship was commissioned on 21 Dec 1987 and is equipped with an array of weapons and sensors which includes Surface to Surface Missile, Anti Air Missiles and guns, Heavy Weight Torpedoes, Anti Submarine Rockets and capable of carrying Anti Submarine Heli-copter . INS Ranvijay is in company with INS Kora which is the lead ship of Kora class missile corvette. The ship is fitted with Surface-to-Surface missiles and Anti Air Guns.
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ABBB/VM/JSN
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Ministry of Home Affairs
Safe City Projects
‘Police’ and ‘Public order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens including crime against women are with the respective State Governments. However, as part of several initiatives for safety of women by the Government, Safe City Projects have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs  under the Nirbhaya Fund Scheme in 8 cities namely Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai. The State Governments have entrusted the responsibility of Implementation of their projects to the Police department in consultation with the local bodies and State Line Departments.
Safe City projects involve identification of hotspots for crime against women and deployment of various components including infrastructure, technology adoption and capacity building in community through awareness programmes.
MHA has put in place a Safe City Implementation and Monitoring  Portal to enable the State Implementing Agencies to upload the assets deployed under the project and other details relating to the progress of implementation.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Concession Agreements & Land Lease Agreements for revival of Gorakhpur & Sindri units of FCIL and Barauni unit of HFCL by HURL and approval for providing land on lease.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal -
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to provide land on lease to Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited ;
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to provide the Concession Agreements & Land Lease Agreements for the revival of Gorakhpur & Sindri units of Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited  and Barauni unit of Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited  by HURL; and
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to authorize Inter-Ministerial Committee  to approve Substitution Agreements and approve other agreements, if any to be signed between FCIL/HFCL and HURL for the three projects at Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni.
Impact
The revival of Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni units of FCIL/HFCL will ensure substantial investment in the fertilizer sector. These units will act as anchor customer to Jagdishpur-Haldia Pipeline  gas pipeline being laid for development of critical infrastructure in Eastern India. This will create job opportunities in the region and also boost the economy of the eastern region/state. The revival of fertilizer unit will also augment indigenous production of urea thereby enhancing self-reliance in urea.
Details
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HURL, a Joint Venture company of NTPC, IOCL, CIL and FCIL/ HFCL was incorporated in June 2016 to implement the fertilizer revival projects at Gorakhpur, Sindri, and Barauni.
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In order to facilitate HURL to set up the fertilizer projects at the three locations, Lease Deeds are to be signed with HURL by FCIL/HFCL. The lease of land is for a period of 55 years.
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The Lessee  would pay a nominal Lease Rent of Rs.1 lakh per annum to the Lessor .
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Concession Agreements for the three projects at Sindri & Gorakhpur Units of FCIL and Barauni Unit of HFCL are to be entered between FCIL/HFCL and HURL  for the purpose of giving a right to HURL to carry out complete design, engineering, construction, procurement, testing, commissioning, operate and maintaining fertilizer plants and market its products.
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Substitution Agreement which is a tri-patriate Agreement amongst HURL, Lenders' representative for the specific project and FCIL/HFCL for the purpose of assignment of the land to enable HURL to obtain finances may be required to be signed after Lenders' syndication is completed for each of the projects.
Special Service and Features
Independence Day celebration at Air Cargo, Chennai Customs
The 76th independence Day was celebrated on 15th August 2022 at Air Cargo Complex, New Custom House, Meenambakkam in a grand manner. The National Flag was hoisted by Shri. K.R. Uday Bhaskar, I.R.S., Principal Commissioner of Customs, Chennai I & VII.
The Principal Commissioner received the Guard of Honour by the Officers & Staff of Customs and inspected the parade.
The Principal Commissioner addressed the officers and the public gathered, where in the Principal Commissioner briefed various initiatives taken by the Customs department to facilitate trade, ease of doing business, transparency in taxation and thereby enhance tax compliance, ultimately contributing to the progressive development of the Nation.
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Prime Minister's Office
The resolve shown by 130 crore countrymen in the fight against Corona is the sign of the strength of New India: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has said that India is setting new benchmark in the field of health whether it's world largest free vaccination or development of medical infrastructure. Shri Modi has said that the resolve shown by 130 crore countrymen in the fight against Corona is the indication of the strength of New India.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"कोरोना से लड़ाई में 130 करोड़ देशवासियों ने जिस संकल्प शक्ति का परिचय दिया है, वो नए भारत के सामर्थ्य की पहचान है। स्वदेशी टीकों के साथ विश्व का सबसे बड़ा मुफ्त वैक्सीनेशन अभियान हो या मेडिकल इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर का विकास, स्वास्थ्य के क्षेत्र में देश नित नए मानदंड स्थापित कर रहा है।"
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Success Story: Swachh Bharat Mission
Pink Toilets in 32 Gram Panchayats of Gadag District in Karnataka
In a move to make sanitation accessible, safe and at the same time remove embarrassment during menstrual days among adolescent girls, the Gadag district of Karnataka is constructing pink toilets in 32-gram panchayats  across the district.
Of these, 20 units have been completed while 12 are in an advanced stage of completion. The cost of each unit is Rs.6 lakhs - .
Such a facility was first constructed at the KH Patil Girls Senior Primary School and after successful testing, it is being replicated in other villages.
Equipped with adequate water supply, lighting, a changing room and other amenities, the wash room for adolescent girls and women is an innovation under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen . Each unit has an incinerator which is used for safe disposal of sanitary pads and menstrual waste.
Menstrual Hygiene Management  is an integral part of the waste management under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen  campaign, underlining the importance of this otherwise taboo topic that impacts not just health and wellbeing, but also education and overall development of girls and women in the country. The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation  has issued guidelines to support all adolescent girls and women. It outlines what needs to be done by State governments, district administrations, engineers and technical experts in line departments; as well as school head teachers and teachers.
The initiative has been appreciated by girls and women, helping to remove embarrassment during their menstrual days.
The toilets have been constructed in convergence between Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, 15th FC and the GP funds. The dream of clean villages is becoming a reality with this special initiative.
In Gadag, to ensure proper use and maintenance of the facilities, training has been conducted, at school level, involving School Development and Monitoring Committee  members, teachers, and GP members in the programme. It specifically covered the use of incinerators.
Plans are in the pipeline to train women at the village, through the NRLM Self Help Groups to make sanitary pads. In the meantime, awareness programmes are being conducted for school children, the messages reinforced through wall writing, brochures, posters that are distributed and pasted in public spaces. Safe sanitation and hygiene messages are also promoted through social media and documentaries.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Bureau of Outreach Communication organizes exhibitions in States/UTs to celebrate Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav
‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ commenced today with launch of the inaugural event by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, Gujarat today. In line with his vision of a nationwide celebration of 75 years of Independence, Bureau of Outreach Communication today organized photo-exhibitions at thirty two locations in various States and Union Territories across the nation. These exhibitions aim to pay homage to freedom fighters and remember their contribution in the freedom struggle. The exhibition also seeks to bring forth the contributions of unsung heroes of the struggle from various parts of the country.
Crowds thronged the venues of the exhibitions in all parts of the country with much enthusiasm to learn about stories behind India’s freedom struggle. Panels describing the lives of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Sadar Patel, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and other freedom fighters were on display. The historic Dandi March,rare scenes from life of our freedom fighters, newspaper clippings of pre-independence times were also showcased.
Regional Outreach Bureaus  in Gujarat viz Godhara, Junagharh/Bhuj and Surat launched their activities for Amrut Mahotsav immediately after the inauguration of the main event by PM Modi.
In Jaipur, Rajasthan, Governor Shri Kalraj Mishra attended the event. He hoped that heroes of the freedom struggle inspire the youth to work for New India. Culture Minister of the State Shri Dr. B. D. Kalla was also present on the occasion.
Locals in Nizamabad, Telangana were thrilled to find a picture of local freedom fighter Ananth Kumar Kanhare at the event, who migrated from Maharashtra and took part in the freedom struggle efforts in Nizamabad.
In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan along with State Health Minister Shri Prabhuram Chaudary inaugurated the event. In Mhow, Indore , Culture Minister of State inaugurated the function.
Photo exhibition organized in Raipur Chhatisgarh was inaugurated by Culture minister Shri Amarjeet Bhagat.
In Punjab, Governor & UT Administrator, Shri V P Singh Badnore participated in the inaugural event. Participating in a similar event in Shimla, Governor of Himachal Pradesh Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, gave said the youth should seek inspiration from our freedom struggle so that the nation can progress. Urban development minister of State Shri Suresh Bhardwaj was also present at the occasion.
Leaders like Brig Rajinder Singh were remembered at ROB Jammu, visited by Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha. Principal DG, All India Radio, Shri N.V. Reddy inaugurated Amrut Mahotsav exhibition at ROB Guwahati.
Exhibition set up by ROB Chennai was inaugurated by Governor Shri Banwarilal Purohit. At ROB Payyannur, Kerala freedom fighter V P Appukkutta Pothuval graced the occasion. Exhibitions were also put up at Tiruchirapalli, Mananthavady, Wayanad and Kundara Kollam in Kerala. Governor Shri Arif Muhammed Khan and the Chief Secretary also visited the exhibition inaugurated by ADG, ROB Shri V. Palanichamy at Kollam.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
FICCI President Shri Rashesh Shah calls on MoS Dr Jitendra Singh
The President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry , Shri Rashesh Shah called on the Union Minister of State  of the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy & Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, here today and discussed business and investment plans for Northeast.
Shri Rashesh Shah referred to renewed focus on Northeast in the last three or four years ever since the Government took over and said that the entire business community and business trade organizations across the country are now looking forward to the Northeast for unexplored avenues. He said, the business community is particularly interested in tourism and agriculture sector, which has immense potential in the region.
Dr Jitendra Singh suggested that FICCI should organize series of awareness programmes in the peripheral States of Jammu & Kashmir and Northeast to spread awareness both among the business community as well as consumers about the kind of investments and business ventures, most optimally suitable for each of the given regions. He particularly emphasized the need to promote young Start-ups and young entrepreneurs from across the country to come forward and invest in these areas.
Shri Shah told Dr Jitendra Singh that very soon, FICCI will come out with a comprehensive proposal and plan in the form of a written document which would be the road- map for the best possible investments and industry initiatives in the times to come. He said that the FICCI will always look forward to Dr Jitendra Singh for continued support, as in the past.